What Minnesota custom plates cost and how long they take

Minnesota custom plates cost $50 more per year than a standard plate, on top of your regular registration fee. You order them through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) website or by mail, and the process takes roughly two to four weeks from approval to delivery. The state reviews your requested text for content violations before issuing the plate.

You can request a custom plate when you renew your registration or at any point during your registration period. If you already have a plate you want to keep, Minnesota lets you transfer a custom design to a new vehicle, though you'll pay the $50 annual fee again.

Key Takeaways

  • Custom plates in Minnesota cost $50 extra per year beyond your standard registration fee.
  • You order through the DPS website (mn.gov/dvs) or by mail, and the state reviews your text for prohibited content before approval.
  • The state rejects plates with profanity, slurs, references to drugs or alcohol, or text that mimics official government plates.
  • Processing takes two to four weeks, so order early if you need the plate by a specific date.
  • You can transfer a custom plate to a new vehicle or change your design, but you pay the $50 fee each year regardless.

What text the state will and won't approve

Minnesota has a list of prohibited content that will get your request denied. The state rejects plates containing profanity, slurs, hate speech, or references to illegal drugs or controlled substances. Plates that appear to mimic official government plates—such as those that look like law enforcement or emergency vehicle plates—are also rejected.

The state also denies requests that reference alcohol in a way that promotes drinking, though a plate like "WINE MOM" has historically been approved in other states and may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in Minnesota. If your request is denied, the DPS will tell you why and give you the chance to submit a different text.

Text length is limited to six characters for most plates, though some specialty plates allow seven. Numbers and letters both count toward this limit, so "MN2024" uses all six available spaces.

How to order a custom plate online or by mail

The fastest route is the Minnesota DPS website at mn.gov/dvs. Go to the license plate section, select "Custom Plate" or "Personalized Plate," and enter your desired text. The system will tell you when ready if your choice is available and acceptable. If it is, you can pay the $50 fee and proceed with your registration renewal or update.

If you prefer to order by mail, read the custom plate process form from the DPS website, fill it out with your requested text and vehicle information, and mail it to the address listed on the form along with a check for $50. Mail orders take longer because they go through manual review, so allow four to six weeks instead of two to four.

You'll need your current vehicle registration and driver's license information ready either way. If you're ordering during a registration renewal, the custom plate fee rolls into your total renewal cost.

Transferring or changing a custom plate you already have

If you own a custom plate and buy a new vehicle, you can transfer the plate to the new car. Contact the DPS and provide your old plate number, new vehicle information, and proof of ownership. You'll pay the $50 annual fee again, even though you're keeping the same design.

If you want to change the text on your current plate—for example, because your old design no longer fits your life—you can request a new custom design. This counts as a new order, so you'll go through the same approval process and pay another $50 fee. Your old plate becomes inactive once the new one is issued.

What happens if your custom plate request is denied

The DPS will notify you by mail or email (depending on how you ordered) and explain which content rule your text violated. You then have the option to submit a new request with different text. There is no additional fee for resubmitting—you only pay the $50 once your new text is approved.

If you disagree with the denial, you can contact the DPS directly to discuss the decision, though the state's content rules are applied consistently. Some borderline cases may be reviewed by a supervisor, but the outcome is rarely overturned unless there was a clear mistake in how the rule was applied.

Renewing and replacing a damaged custom plate

Your custom plate renews along with your vehicle registration every year. You'll pay the $50 custom plate fee each time you renew, in addition to your standard registration cost. If your plate is damaged, stolen, or lost, contact the DPS to request a replacement. Replacement plates cost the same as a standard replacement plate (usually around $10 to $15), not the full $50 custom fee, because you're not creating a new design.

If you decide you no longer want a custom plate and want to switch back to a standard plate, you can do so at your next renewal. straightforward don't request the custom plate fee during renewal, and you'll receive a standard plate instead.

Specialty and commemorative plates in Minnesota

Minnesota also offers specialty plates separate from custom personalized plates. These include plates for military service, college alumni, conservation causes, and other organizations. Specialty plates have a fixed design chosen by the organization, but you can add custom text to some of them for an additional fee.

Commemorative plates, such as those for specific years or events, are issued for a limited time and may not renew indefinitely. Check the DPS website to see which specialty and commemorative plates are currently available, as the list changes year to year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order a custom plate if my registration is expired?

No, you must have a current registration to order a custom plate. If your registration has lapsed, you'll need to renew it first through the standard process, then add the custom plate during that renewal or afterward.

What if someone else has the custom text I want?

Custom plates are unique to each owner, so if someone already has the text you requested, the system will tell you it's unavailable. You'll need to choose different text. The DPS does not have a waitlist for unavailable designs.

Do I have to renew my custom plate every year?

Yes, the $50 custom plate fee is annual and renews with your vehicle registration. If you don't pay it during renewal, you'll receive a standard plate instead. You can switch back to custom at any future renewal.

How long does it take to get a custom plate if I order by mail?

Mail orders typically take four to six weeks from the time the DPS receives your process. Online orders are faster, usually two to four weeks. If you need the plate by a specific date, order online and submit your request at least six weeks in advance.

Can I use numbers and letters together on a custom plate?

Yes, you can mix numbers and letters. Both count toward your six-character limit, so "ABC123" uses all six spaces. The DPS will review your combination for prohibited content just as it would for letters alone.